The Naim New Classic range - Part 1

I have borrowed a Nad Master23 poweramp this weekend, and my new classic 250 is going to be returned to dealer. The new classic 250 is fantastic, but with my speakers the M23 was better. Mostly because of more headroom. Otherwise there was pros&cons with both. Both are fantastic.

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I’ve spent a lifetime trying to avoid ‘sharpness’ in my system. It’s a reason why I moved away from Naim when I had CB stuff, although with hindsight there could have been other factors at play.

A system needs to play naturally. Any ‘sharpness’ is likely to impress in the dealer’s demo room just like the eye popping 4K TV’s do when in demo mode but at home this is the last thing you need.

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I believe I found the cable your refer to (Akkelis). That is if so Sarum Tuned Aray meaning not the same as Sarum T. Never tried Tuned Aray but from my understanding Super is superior and T even more so. I had a Super Aray DIN DIN prior to my T and it was a rather big jump between those generations IMO. Super is however a great cable for its price.

History goes as below from oldest till today.

Sarum Tuned Aray
Sarum Super Aray
Sarum T Super Aray

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Yes, that’s right Slamdam, Akkelis. Didn’t notice it wasn’t Sarum T, that explains the relatively low price, thanks.

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In my experience, that can be addressed with “certain” cables.

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Mike, perhaps start a thread with the title ‘Certain Cables’ and see where it leads… :wink:

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I came away very impressed from a demo of the new Naim gear. The star of the show for me, was the new 250. It was powering similar Harbeth speakers to mine (the 30.2 versus my C7es3).
The grip and authority the 250 has on the speakers is easily better than my Hicapped SN2.
I am actually thinking of using the SN2 as a preamp, and buying the 250 as a power amp. :thinking:

Oh, and my dealer also says the new 250 is better than the “old” 300DR.

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Just out of curiousity, how did you determine that the 250 is the star?

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I am not so sure that the new 250 is the star of the trio. It is good but so is the new nsc 222 and i would say that it is a fantastic value for money product.

One thing: This talk about long running in time with Naimproducts, how real is this?
Isn’t it more that the listner gets used to the sound? And maybe there is a little change in the sound after some weeks🤔

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I think it is both. Certainly with the 552 there was a noticeable change over the first few weeks that even Mrs Bruss, a non audiophile, remarked on.

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The new system has more punch, grip and dynamics than mine. I hypothesize that the streamer module and DAC in the 222, is not better than my NDX 2 with XPS-DR.
So that leaves the 250 as the component which elevates the new system over mine.
I am making assumptions here and YMMV. But I am pretty sure the 250 is significantly better than the power amp section in my SN2.

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The 250 has always been better than the Supernait’s power amp.

I once attended a demo which compared the 272/250DR to NDX2 (or it could have been ND5XS2)/Supernait 2 and whilst there wasn’t much in it I preferred the 272/250DR for the reasons you state, punch, grip, dynamics etc.

I expect the speakers will heavily influence which combination is best for a particular system. More difficult speakers will favour the 250.

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Well, you really shouldn’t dismiss the effect of the preamp when it comes to those traits. Punch grip and dynamics can improve vastly with a better pre amp.

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Please get in touch with your dealer. I hope they’re able to help optimise the performance of your system.

Please get in touch with your dealer. I hope they’re able to help you optimise the performance of your system.

Rest assured there is no ‘sharpness’ at play at all.

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The New Classic NAP 250 is indeed better, stronger and faster than the NAP 300 DR. The New Classic NAP 250’s superiority in areas such as bass grip, speed, punch, dynamics, etc. over the NAP 300 DR are even more apparent when used in AV systems.

As with any purchase……new and better is subjective for the purchaser.

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Indeed - any potential customer needs to listen for themselves and make the decision

No one else matters

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This reminds me of the old limerick; there once was a lady from Crewe, who said as the vicar withdrew, the bishop is quicker, and thicker and slicker, and longer and stronger than you.

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